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This Woman's Before-and-After Acne Photo Is Going Viral on Social Media

We're not going to sugarcoat it. There have been times when acne has made us want to throw up our hands and shake our fists at the sky. No matter how religiously we wash our faces, apply spot treatment, and watch what what we eat, it still crops up for what feels like no reason at all. That (however unfortunately) is obvious for most of us. But what's not obvious is how people achieve the incredible, that is, turning their sensitive and inflamed skin into a smooth and calm complexion.

When they do that without any harsh or synthetic chemicals—well that seems almost impossible. Yet, according to Glamour, one Instagram user transformed her acneic skin with an all-natural skincare routine. It's so natural that half of the products can probably be found in our kitchen cabinets right now. She shared the details on Instagram, along with a before-and-after photo, and it has since gone viral. Keep scrolling to see her skincare transformation.

Model Brianna Lopez shared this before-and-after photo to her Instagram account. In the caption, she talked a little about her skincare journey, writing "I just wanted to make a little post about skin because I've struggled with mine so much, and I really feel like I need to stop pretending like I haven't. Especially in the industry I am trying to get into, it can be very deceiving about body image and skin. This is my skin at its worst on the left and now on the right. This was a hard time and I was very bothered by it. Didn't want to leave my room or even have my own parents look at me." Her story is one that so many people can relate to, which is why her comments section lit up with questions about her skincare routine.

She begins by cleansing (sometimes double cleansing if she wears makeup) with pure jojoba oil. After wiping the oily residue away with a washcloth, she applies a DIY mask made from a dollop of honey, a half teaspoon of turmeric, and a dash of cinnamon. Honey has been shown to provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects to help calm and treat acne. The same with turmeric. Cinnamon is thought to boost circulation (though it's gritty texture and strong scent might be too harsh for those of us with sensitive skin). After leaving that on for an hour, she rinses it off and moisturises with the Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips & Carrot Perfecting Serum and Doterra Lavender Oil. (The former's natural vitamins promise to help with acne and acne scars).

Finally, she uses raw shea butter as a spot treatment, which sounds unusual, considering that many people swear shea butter clogs their pores with more acne-causing oil. This is a good reminder that what might work for one person might not work for another. As always, it's best to see a dermatologist before overhauling your skincare routine. They'll be able to work with you to find the most effective regimen.

Lopez finishes her skincare routine by ingesting multiple supplements for extra vitamins and minerals. It's true that eating well can help cure a whole host of skin issues, but it's best to see a doctor before trying anything new there too (we hate to sound like a broken record, but it's a good idea nonetheless!).

"There are worse things that can happen to you in life than acne," she wrote on Instagram. "But getting acne takes a really big toll on your life. I'm willing to answer any questions anyone might have. Just needed to get this out there because it is apart of who I am and my story." We applaud her. Why not be honest and open? After all, we're all in this acne struggle together at some point in our lives.